Grab an overseas credit card to bag near-perfect rates

Most cards add a 3% cost to the exchange rates banks themselves get. You can avoid this by packing a specialist card that doesn't add this 'load', meaning you'll get near-perfect exchange rates which beat even the best bureaux de change. Pocket one just for spending overseas (always repay IN FULL to avoid interest). Generally you'll need to apply between one and three weeks before you go.

Our current top pick is the Barclaycard Platinum Cashback Plus Visa card which has no fees on spending or cash withdrawals overseas and 0.25% cashback on all spending until 31 August 2023. Plus, there's no interest on overseas withdrawals if you pay off in full.

As an alternative, the Tandem credit card has no fees for overseas spending or withdrawals (though you'll pay interest on withdrawals). As an added bonus, you earn 0.5% cashback when you spend on the card abroad (and in the UK).

Always pay both cards off IN FULL each month, or you'll pay 21.9% rep APR on Barclaycard or 18.9% rep APR on Tandem.

Turn your phone into a free worldwide sat-nav to avoid hefty charges

If you've a smartphone with GPS there's a nifty, free way to turn it into a sat-nav you can use abroad. Simply download one of the following free apps to your phone (if an Android user, you may already have Google Maps).

While the apps won't have the bells and whistles of a traditional sat-nav, crucially, you won't have to use any data when overseas.

Download the apps and maps before you go and then they're stored offline in your phone – the apps use your phone's built-in GPS to locate you and you don't need data or Wi-Fi.

Here are our three top-pick sat-nav apps – all free to download and use:

Google Maps works offline too – so download before you go: The Google Maps app is easy to use, and includes restaurants and reviews. You can use it offline, as long as you download maps in advance. It also offers real-time traffic and train info, though for that you'll need a Wi-Fi or data connection.

Tap the three horizontal lines in the top left of the screen, then select 'Offline areas'.

It'll give you the option to select a 'local' or 'home', or a 'custom area'. 'Local' or 'home' selects an area surrounding where your search is – 'custom' lets you specify an area.

The maps you've downloaded are stored in the 'offline areas' section.

Great for driving and country-by-country apps: Navmii is free for iPhone, Android, Blackberry and Windows Phone (though the Blackberry and Windows Phone apps are no longer being updated). It comes with pre-loaded maps, route planning, voice prompts, mileage tracking and real-time hazard reporting.

Navmii has maps for 197 countries, including the UK – to find them, search in your phone's app store for Navmii plus the country, eg, 'Navmii France'. If you prefer, you can download a worldwide app to cover the lot.

Top for detail including hiking trails and ATMs: Maps.Me allows users to add data to maps – such as places of interest or trails, for example. It works in a similar way to Wikipedia with users making contributions, which is why its maps are so detailed. It also includes islands in addition to whole countries – great if you're going off the beaten track. It's available for iPhone and Android.

By contrast, sat-nav maker TomTom offers an app with offline maps for £4.99/month or £14.99/year at the time of writing.

Use the right cheap flight-finding site

Don't go direct to an airline – use the price comparison sites below to get lots of data in a very short time.

Kayak for a comparison incl baggage fees. Kayak* allows you to filter options based on whether or not you want to check in bags so you can compare costs more accurately.

Skyscanner for the very cheapest time to fly.Skyscanner* gives you fare options spread over a month to find exactly when's cheapest. It has particularly strong coverage of budget flights, searching over 1,200 airlines and travel sites in total.

Momondo for its flight data info. We like Momondo* for its nifty tool that tells you the cheapest and most expensive dates around your flight, as well as helpful insights such as the cheapest airport to fly from/into. It doesn't do it for all destinations, but it has the biggies – New York, Dubai, Sydney, Cape Town.

When is the best time to book your holiday?

Although it's not cut and dried, booking a whole year ahead can be MoneySaving.

Booking packages early can net special deals. Tour operators can offer discounts for booking way ahead, eg, Tui, First Choice and Jet2holidays offer free child places if you book early. However, waiting till the last minute can also pay off as prices often plummet, though you've MUCH less choice. See Cheap Package Holidays.

Book flights a year ahead. Many airlines release seats 11-12 months ahead, with cheaper seats often released early. Although you can't be sure these will be the very cheapest, as prices could drop later, you'll likely at least get a decent price if you book as soon as all airlines on that route make seats available. See Airline-by-airline seat release dates and our Cheap Flights guide.

Manipulate hotel prices with our rebook tricks. Rates fluctuate but if you find a good deal on a room with free cancellation then grab it, monitor prices and cancel and rebook if it drops. Meanwhile, some booking sites match prices if they fall later. Both strategies can pay off but have their risks – see Hotel rebook tricks.

Get travel insurance as soon as you book. ALWAYS get travel insurance immediately. It doesn't cost any more to get a policy early, and you're then covered if you have to cancel any time BEFORE your holiday begins. See Cheap Travel Insurance.

The codeshare trick: where two airlines sell the same flight

If you like flying with a specific airline or know the exact flight you want, 'codesharing' could be a way to get a flight with that airline, via another one. It's when airlines buddy up to sell seats on each others' flights, sometimes at a different price.

For example, when we looked in July, we found a Delta London to Las Vegas return flight in September for £671 booking via Delta. But exactly the same flights booked via Delta's partner Virgin Atlantic cost £591, saving £80.

This works best on popular medium or long-haul routes. For a full 'how to' and list of codeshare partners see the Cheap Flights guide.

Beat price hikes with Easyjet's Flexifares

We've found a clever way to bag cheaper flights using Easyjet's 'Flexifares', which let you switch dates by a few weeks without paying anything extra.

It only works with 'Flexifare' tickets, but once you've booked you can switch dates by a few weeks without paying more. It works the whole year round – but it's particularly useful when prices shoot up during the school holidays. This means you can bag a cheap term-time flight, then swap for your chosen school holiday dates.

Many airlines let you take child car seats and buggies for free

Whether you're hiring a car or making a quick dash to the airport in a taxi – then if you've young children with you, they should be in a car seat.

Renting one can be pricey though. It can add around £5/day to the cost of hiring a car, and hike taxi fares sharply too – for example, we were quoted an extra €12 for a one-way journey from Barcelona airport to the city centre.

There are alternative options – for instance, some airports have stalls like Malaga's Tots Store where seats can be rented at half the cost. But your best bet may be to take your own.

Many airlines let you check in a car seat and fully-collapsible pushchair for free, in addition to your usual luggage allowance. The rules can, however, vary by airline.

Car seat and buggy – buggies count as part of your cabin bag allowance if taken on board, but not as part of your hold allowance if checked in

Thomas Cook

Any two items – or you can bring all three and replace the infant's baggage allowance

Tui (formerly Thomson)

Car seat and buggy are free to check in but if you bring both, one will count against your baggage allowance

United Airlines

Car seat and buggy

Virgin Atlantic

Car seat and buggy

Unless otherwise stated, car seats and buggies can typically be taken for children up to age 11. Correct at July 2018.

It's worth noting some car seats can also be used by children on the plane (if you've bought them their own seat). The car seat'll have to meet certain criteria though and it depends on the plane you're travelling on, so check in advance.

Ethnic travel agents may be cheaper

The UK's a melting pot of different immigrant and ethnic communities, and this can be used to great advantage for a cheap flight booking. Niche travel agents often specialise in finding deals to the relevant communities' linked countries.

For example, Shepherd's Bush in London and the surrounding area has some Caribbean specialist tour agents, or buy the Jewish Chronicle, which has firms advertising cheap flights to Israel.

Don't forget to check prices elsewhere before you buy, to make sure you're getting a good deal. If you know of a cheap specialist travel agent, please add them here.

Grab cheap or FREE access to airport lounges

Airport lounges aren't just reserved for first class, business class or elite frequent flyers. Access can be free with certain credit cards or bank accounts, or you can get it cheaply via frequent flyer schemes such as Virgin Atlantic's Flying Club.

One-off passes start from around £20 per person. Given you could pay that for food and drinks alone at the airport, it can be good value, especially when you usually get a comfy seat in peace, and a newspaper or magazine thrown in too.

FREE app to help you talk like a local

You can learn 33 languages completely free via language-learning app and website Duolingo. It has all the standards such as French, Spanish and Italian – but there's even 'High Valyrian' and 'Klingon' for Game of Thrones and Star Trek fans.

How does it work?

The app's available for iPhone, Android and Windows phones. It's free to download but there are optional in-app purchases. You can also learn via Duolingo's website.

You can set yourself goals of practising for five to 20 minutes each day, and it tries to make learning fun by turning each lesson into a game (eg, you lose lives when you get questions wrong).

You can also join 'clubs' where the app matches you up with other learners, so you can chat to each other and practise what you've learned. Forumite Hermia has been learning French via the app:

I love it. I honestly have learned more from the app than I have from three years of classes at school!

How to find FREE water at airports for your flight – and avoid rip-off prices after security

Restrictions on taking liquids in hand luggage mean passengers often shell out for pricey bottles of water once in the departure lounge, or on the plane.

But many airports have water fountains after security where you can fill up an empty water bottle or Thermos flask for free – you just have to know where to find 'em.

To help, we've compiled a handy guide to exactly where you can find free drinking fountains at 16 of the UK's biggest airports. Simply take an empty bottle with you through security – the Civil Aviation Authority has confirmed this IS allowed – and fill it up before getting on the plane.

It's the biggest airport in the UK – and one of the best when it comes to free drinking water. Its website says: "We have over 100 water fountains across Heathrow's four terminals clearly signposted and located at most toilets where you are welcome to fill up your water bottles."

To see the exact locations of the drinking fountains check these maps for each terminal (the info box with the yellow 'services' heading tells you which toilets have them): Terminal 2, Terminal 3, Terminal 4, Terminal 5.

Gatwick has water fountains available after security in both terminals, and one before security in the south terminal.

North terminal – There are two fountains on the right-hand side of the entrance to the World Duty Free store.

South terminal – There's a fountain on the upper level next to the Duty Free store and the toilets (marked on this map). There is another on the lower lever, next to Harrods, at the entrance to the toilets.

There is also a drinking fountain in the south terminal arrivals area, in the immigration hall outside the toilets before going through passport control.

T1 departures – A water fountain can be found on the left side of the corridor after you leave security area A. If you're exiting security area B, you'll see it as you enter the corridor that leads into the first concourse.

T2 departures – There's a water fountain after the security area, in the corridor towards departures.

T3 departures – A water fountain is located in the corridor between the Trattoria Milano restaurant and the Lion and Antelope pub.

T1 arrivals – A water fountain can be found in the level 4 UK Border Agency queuing area, right by the toilets.

T2 arrivals – There's a water fountain at immigration.

T3 arrivals – The water fountain is in the international baggage reclaim hall.

Birmingham Airport told us it has eight water fountains in the departures areas once you have passed security.

There is one in the main departure lounge behind Bottega Prosecco Bar. There are another two next to the toilets behind the Number 1 airport lounge. There are a further four on the International Pier, next to each of the toilet blocks, and there is a fountain in the Pier Bussing lounge.

Southampton Airport has one water fountain after you go through security. As you enter the departure lounge through World Duty Free, turn left and the fountain is next to the toilets on the ground floor.

It provided us with this handy map to show where the fountain is located (it's by the orange arrow).

A number of them said you're welcome to ask cafés and restaurants to fill up bottles for free however, even if you're not making a purchase.

MSE is campaigning to ask all UK airports to provide free drinking water fountains for passengers. Since we launched our campaign in 2017, Exeter, Aberdeen, Liverpool John Lennon and George Best Belfast City have installed water dispensers, London City has confirmed it will be installing water fountains by 2022, and Glasgow Prestwick is considering having them.

Get Our Money Tips Email!

For all the latest deals, guides and loopholes - join the 12m who get it.

Make 'em PAY YOU to show your boarding pass at airport shops

There’s NO legal or security requirement for you to show your boarding pass in any airport shop, with the exception of Duty Free (you must show it there whatever you’re buying).

Shops ask because if you're travelling outside of the European Union, they can reclaim the VAT paid. Your boarding pass simply proves where you're flying. Yet this VAT should really (in our view) be passed back to the customer. So make a point and politely decline showing them your pass unless they do.

Thankfully as this campaign has been running a couple of years, it’s already started to have an impact. For example, if you’re travelling outside the EU, WH Smith does now give back the VAT for individual items over £6, and Boots does the same for items over £5.

Many airports now charge up to a fiver just to drop somebody off - how to avoid it

Our investigation found 19 of the UK's busiest 30 airports - including Manchester, Stansted, Luton and Edinburgh - make you pay for a 10-minute drop-off, with fees ranging from £1 to £4.50.

Some of the biggest players, including Heathrow and Gatwick, do still let you drop off for free though - and at the airports that do charge there are often little-known free drop-off areas, albeit a bus ride or short walk away from the terminal.

Is your EHIC still valid? Almost 5.4m expire this year – check yours now

If you're off to Europe, ensure you've an up-to-date European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).

Here are the need-to-knows:

It's valid across the EU. A valid EHIC can get free or discounted medical treatment in state-run hospitals in any European Union country, plus a few others.

It entitles you to the same treatment as a local. This is extremely useful in emergencies, and means if it's free for them, it's free for you. Keep it on you at all times when you're away to ensure you're covered.

It doesn't cost a penny. Don't just google 'EHIC', as there are a host of unofficial sites that charge a fee of about £20 to do it for you – see our 60-second guide on copycat websites for more details. Apply via the official link, www.ehic.org.uk, to ensure you get yours for nowt. For a full rundown see the Free EHIC guide.

An EHIC isn't a substitute for travel insurance – while very useful, it's only for medical cover. See Cheap Travel Insurance.

Got your heart set on a destination? Check out our guides to NYC, Paris & more

Our destination guides include how to bag cheap flights, the top 10 free things to do and where to stay without breaking the bank, plus a host of MoneySaving tips unique to the place:

Rome: Including how to beat Colosseum queues and where to find all-you-can-eat buffets for the price of a drink. Rome Tips

While it's not overseas, we also have London MoneySaving Tips – including how to bag a free guided tour of the Houses of Parliament or a flight over the Thames for £3.50.

Free app translates 59 languages offline – download it before you go

Here's a handy trick to turn a smartphone into a personal translator for free – without the need to use any costly data or even Wi-Fi abroad.

The Google Translate app's available on Android and iPhone. It's free, and lets you translate words and phrases to and from your chosen language.

You can do this by typing the text in or using your camera to take a photo. The app can also automatically translate text via your camera in real time (though this works only with a select 38 languages – including Chinese, French and Spanish).

Download it before you go

The real boon though is that you can download free language packs in advance, which means the app will then work offline overseas. Each language pack is about 150MB, so ensure you download it in the UK via Wi-Fi.

To get these, open the app, press the menu button and select "offline languages" then tap the pin button for each language you want to download. There are 59 to choose from.

Once you're using the app on iPhone, it's also possible to save translations to your phone while you're online. To do this, press the star icon next to each phrase you want to store offline in the app.

It isn't perfect, but this can be a handy workaround if you're keen.

How to bag the best plane seats

Want to know whether 18E beats 19C? When you're choosing seats, use specialist sites Seatguru or Skytrax to check the plane's seating plan and see where's best to pick.

Yet choosing the ideal seat can come with a price premium – up to £30 each way for a standard seat, or as much as £60 each way for extra legroom.

For full info on your seating rights and how to sit together for free on big airlines, see our Airline Seating guide.

Get travel insurance ASAB (As Soon As you've Booked)

Get travel insurance as soon as you book. If not, you won't be covered for cancellation. Plus if you go away two or more times a year, annual policies are usually cheaper.

Don't pay airport prices for travel accessories – try pound shops

Pick up travel accessories such as eye masks and travel cushions and adaptors at the airport and you risk paying inflated prices for last-second shoppers.

So plan ahead – you can often bag 'em cheaply at pound shops. Comparison site Mysupermarket* quickly compares prices across the major supermarkets, plus Boots, Superdrug and Poundland. For adaptors the Travel Adaptor website has useful country-by-country info.

Liquids are banned through airport security – but not food

Airlines make extra cash by flogging snacks to hungry flyers at sky-high prices – a splurge on airline snacks could easily undo the savings on your ticket.

Yet as it's only liquids that you can't take through security, you can plan ahead and bring your own snacks and sarnies with you. For example, just the £2 spend on a single airline muffin can often buy eight of 'em in a supermarket, making it nearly 90% cheaper to bring your own.

Packed meals don't need to be drab – you could even theme it around your holiday destination. This can be a great way to get kids (and big kids) excited about the trip. Canny forumites have compiled a huge list of cheap and delicious packed lunch ideas, from Spanish omelettes to Greek salads.

One MoneySaver recommends taking juice drinks that are under the liquid allowance limit – "We take these, they're only 85ml so are OK," @ShedOnBeach told us via Twitter.

Once you've decided on your bring-your-own menu, try Mysupermarket* to quickly compare snack prices across the major supermarkets. If you're already at the airport, forumites report Boots meal deals can come in cheaper than plane equivalents, though always check. See the What to eat on a flight? forum discussion for more.

Don't trust the hotel star system

The star rating system isn't standardised worldwide, and it's usually just an indicator of facilities, rather than quality. A 5* may not live up to its hype – it just means it has extra facilities, so don't just rely on this if you're after a swanky getaway..

Stars may be given by governments, review organisations or even the hotel itself. Package tour operators tend to be overly generous, often a star higher than independent reviews.

To uncover a real gem, use TripAdvisor* feedback to help you find a hotel. It isn't perfect, but ignore the very best and very worst feedback and it's a handy gauge.

Get Our Money Tips Email!

For all the latest deals, guides and loopholes - join the 12m who get it.

Flight delayed in last six years? £100s in compensation possible

A blockbuster European Court of Justice ruling means some can net up to €600 compensation (around £520) for flight delays if the airline was at fault.

You can claim back to February 2005, but it's harder for flights before 2013.

Under EU rules, you may get compensation for delays of three or more hours. In some instances you may also get your ticket money back, plus other costs such as meals and accommodation. See the Flight Delays Compensation guide for full details.

Use TravelMoneyMax for the best rates

You're a captive customer at an airport or ferry terminal, so you'll probably be lumbered with the worst rates. If you must get your travel cash from the airport, order ahead then pick it up to get a better rate.

Use our TravelMoneyMax comparison site to instantly uncover the best possible deal, including all fees and any commission.

The tool lists all the big currencies, and also lets you see who's cheapest for exchanging unused currency back to pounds when you get back (if you've any left!).

Wear your luggage!

Luggage charges can soon add up, but wearing your luggage is a great way to help cut down the amount you need check-in.

To minimise weight, wear your heaviest clothes and shoes. If you're near the weight limit, put heavy gear in your pockets, then stow your jacket under your seat on the plane.

Another option is a specialist big-pocket jacket. You could try to look out for any jacket with a poacher's pocket – a deep lower pocket at the back where hunters keep game.

These are common at outdoor or survivalist stores, but eBay and Amazon may sell them cheaper so try searching for terms like 'survival vest' to see if there's something suitable for all your travel essentials.

Always turn your sun cream bottles around

That's right... simply turn your old sun cream bottles around and you should spot a little number on the back which could save you big.

Many automatically buy sun lotion every time they jet off, but there's often no need to shell out – open bottles can still be effective for up to two years. The number you should find on the back of the bottle is a period after opening (PAO) number, which tells you how long you can keep using it for.

It'll normally look like a tub with an open lid and a number next to it (eg, 12 or 24) – that's the number of months after opening during which it should be OK to use.

The British Skin Foundation says: "Sun tan lotions may, given time, start to separate and become less effective, so it's always worth noting down on the bottle when it was first opened."

It also recommends storing your sun lotion in a cool, dark place, and avoiding leaving it in direct sunlight.

It's worth noting the PAO number isn't the same thing as the best before date, so check that too. The British Skin Foundation says you should always throw away sun cream which has passed its best before date.

Get Our Money Tips Email!

For all the latest deals, guides and loopholes - join the 12m who get it.

Package holidays can undercut DIY bookings and you get protection if things go wrong

The internet's great for flights or DIY city breaks. But if you're going away specifically for seven, 10 or 14 days to a traditional holiday destination, then good old-fashioned package holidays can often come up trumps.

A package holiday is an all-in-one, where the tour operator provides flights, connections and accommodation for one price. They're best suited for standard breaks of standard length. So if it's a traditional holiday destination like Florida or Crete, it's worth checking to see if you can get a package for less than the DIY route.

When to book. Massive savings are possible in the late market, which are deals done within eight weeks of travel, yet of course there's restricted choice & you may need to be flexible. So if you need special facilities (eg, for families) you're going to have to book now and try to cut prices down.

How to cut prices. Tour operators make holidays while travel agents sell 'em. Therefore, many big tour operators' holidays are sold by multiple agents. If you're booking one, once you've found a specific deal, try calling up different agents and getting your haggle on to see if they can beat the price. You could save around 5% more. See Cheap Package Holidays.

Package holidays also usually have added ATOL and ABTA consumer protection (though always check when you book).

Get ATOL protection by booking flights + hotel or car hire

Package holidays have long been protected under the ATOL scheme, so if something goes wrong you get your money back or help getting home.

For bookings made since 1 July, most DIY package holidays bought in the same transaction get the same cover as 'traditional' package holidays - ie, full financial protection (so you're entitled to a refund or be brought home if necessary if the firm organising your package goes bust) AND legal protection (so you're covered if you don't get the holiday you paid for, eg, if a supplier like an airline goes bust, or if bad weather stops you travelling).

For more info, including the rules if you booked before 1 July and what protection other types of holiday offer, see Holiday Rights.

Once you've booked your trip you'll get an ATOL certificate – keep it safe as you'll need it if anything goes wrong.

Dress kids in bright colours to stop you losing 'em at the airport

If you have kids (or you've ever seen Home Alone), you'll know what a nightmare it is to keep an eye on them in crowded places – especially if you're hurrying to catch a plane or transfer. So one way to keep tabs on the tiddlers is to dress them so they'll stick out like a sore thumb.

MSE Andrea uses this trick every time she goes away with her family.

I pop my kids in bright coloured hats or clothes with spots on so they stand out when we're travelling. We also take a photo of them on our phones in what they're wearing before they leave. If they get lost, we can show someone the photo – much easier than describing them.

Outside the EU, providers are free to charge what they like – some as much as £8/MB – so if you're not careful, using the web abroad could rack up an eye-watering bill.

The most sensible plan is to turn your phone off completely (or put it in 'airplane' mode) while you're on holiday abroad. If you can't, there are ways to slash costs, including data-roaming add-ons, free Wi-Fi hotspots abroad, and even switching your Sim. See the Cheap Mobile and Data Roaming guide.

Check if you need a visa

Many non-EU countries require you to have certain documents in place or to meet other stipulations before allowing you in. Depending on where you're travelling, you may need a visa (basically a certificate giving you permission to enter a country, which also dictates how long you can stay).

Some countries offer visas on arrival, others require visas in advance – sometimes a costly and lengthy process. If you're heading to the USA, you may be eligible for the 'ESTA' visa-waiver scheme – though you'll still need to pay and hold a 'chipped' passport. For more, read our ESTA guide.

The most reliable way of checking entry requirements for your intended destination is to go to the foreign travel advice section of the Foreign Office's website, search for the country or territory you want to visit (225 are covered, from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe), click through, then click on 'Entry requirements' to find out everything you need to know.

Ensure your destination is safe

Besides keeping yourself out of harm's way, it's also important to check if your destination is considered safe to ensure your holiday is covered. Many travel insurance providers will refuse to pay out for issues – including cancellations – at destinations that have been declared unsafe to visit.

Ensure your passport's valid and in good condition

If you're jetting off, remember to check your passport's expiry date before you book. Some countries demand your passport's valid for at least six months from arrival. Likewise, if your passport's worse for wear, some countries may refuse you entry. Check the Government's foreign travel advice before you go.

Renew your passport in plenty of time and it'll save the hassle and extra cash needed for an urgent trip to the passport office. A standard adult passport is £75.50 if you apply online and can take three weeks to get back. Yet leave this until the very last minute and you risk having to pay £177 for its one-day premium service.

To renew yours, go to Gov.uk. Don't just google it – we've had reports of some being caught out by unofficial websites which charge extra, so always use the official Gov.uk link above to ensure you aren't caught out by a copycat site. Full help in 60 seconds on passport renewal.

Pay the right way for extra protection

If your flights or package hols cost over £100, pay by credit card to nab extra protection. This is because when the transaction's over £100, Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act means the card company's equally liable if owt goes wrong.

This means if the airline goes bust and you've booked directly with it, you can at least get your money back from the card company. Always pay your card off in full at the end of the month so you're not charged interest. See the full Section 75 Refunds guide.

Bizarrely, if you're booking flights, Section 75 only covers you if each individual ticket comes to over £100. So if a couple bought two flights at £75 each, even though the transaction would be over £100, they wouldn't be covered. Plus if you aren't the primary cardholder and book your flight on an additional card, you won't be covered.

Another exception's if you buy a flight via a travel agent. Even if over £100, Section 75 doesn't cover you here. Because you pay the travel agent, not the airline, the card company doesn't have a direct relationship with the supplier, so isn't considered liable.

If you're paying by debit card, there's also valuable hidden protection that means you may be able to get your money back if something goes wrong. It's called chargeback, and applies to most debit and charge cards, as well as Visa, Mastercard and Amex credit cards – though it isn't a legal requirement. See the Chargeback guide for info.

Avoid hefty fees for checking in at the airport

Sadly, budget airlines can charge up to an eye-watering £55 per person, per return, just to check in at the airport. So do this free online first. See the Beat Budget Airline Charges guide for more tricks to avoid check-in fees.

Get Our Money Tips Email!

For all the latest deals, guides and loopholes - join the 12m who get it.

Check for extra discounts. See if you can squash the price further via fly-drive package deals, cashback, specialist travel brokers and online vouchers.

It's important to note that if you are planning on booking a car, you'll need to get a code from the DVLA before you go, but bear in mind it expires after 21 days.

Uncover secret bargains on 5* hotels

The secret hotel section at Lastminute.com* has bargains on four and five-star hotels worldwide (including London), because you only know the description and star rating before you pay. This can mean rock-bottom prices for classy establishments.

Yet often you can cut and paste key phrases into Google to discover which hotel it is. Once you know the hotel's identity, check reviews on TripAdvisor* and whether it's really a bargain compared to what you can get on the top comparison sites. See Secret Hotels for how. Some inspiration from MoneySavers:

I booked the 5* Grange St. Paul's Hotel in London for £109 (rack rate £215). OH YEAH BABY.

I booked the Hilton London Paddington for £69 for a double room. I had a look on the Hilton website and the equivalent cost would be £205 – bargain!

Driving abroad? Check if your UK licence is valid

A UK driving licence is accepted throughout the EU, but if you're planning a road trip further afield, check if you'll need an International Driving Permit (IDP).

An IDP is required or recommended in about 140 countries, including the USA, Thailand and India. Drive without one where it's needed and you risk trouble with the authorities, and may be refused a hire car.

It's in booklet format and there are two types, known as the 1926 and 1949 Conventions (they're the same price). Which you'll need depends on where you're off to.

Book a cheap package just for the flight

Scheduled flights to tourist places, such as Orlando and Sri Lanka, can be silly money, yet packages there can sometimes come in much cheaper.

If you only need the flight, check if there's a cheaper package holiday, then grab it but DON'T stay in the hotel.

Martin once helped a friend book a £300 Sri Lanka holiday for the flight when the cheapest scheduled deal was £1,000+. See the Cheap Package Holidays guide.

Check if you can save by splitting your ticket

It's easy to search for flights from A to B but don't assume it's the cheapest way. It's commonly associated with trains (see our Cheap Train Tickets guide) but it can work with flights too, if you're willing to do the research.

Use multi-destination options on screen scrapers mentioned above (top picks are Kayak*, Skyscanner* and Momondo*) to see if you can save by flying to one airport and returning from another.

Open-jaw tickets – for example (London Heathrow to Los Angeles and San Francisco to London Heathrow) may be cheaper than bog-standard returns. They can also eliminate the need for backtracking if you plan to visit more than one city. For more flight tricks, see the Cheap Flights guide.

Don't assume a pricier sun lotion is safer – you can get it from as little as £1

Sun lotion can cost up to a whopping £25 for a 200ml bottle on the high street. Yet it's possible to grab sun lotion for a quid in pound shops. We've found some great products for a £1 each, when they usually retail at £6-£12. Plus, skin care experts say they check out on skin safety.

Try using Mysupermarket* to quickly compare the price of sun cream in the big supermarkets, plus Boots and Superdrug.

The British Skin Foundation told us: "When choosing a sunscreen, rather than price or retailer, the two most important factors to look out for are its SPF and UVA rating.

"Firstly SPF, or sun protection factor, is the level of protection sunscreen gives against UVB radiation, the type that causes sunburn. This is usually on the front of the product. We recommend choosing one at SPF 30 or higher.

"Secondly, check the UVA rating, which tends to be on the back. It may be a circle with UVA inside it, or star rating from zero to five. Ideally, aim for four or five stars."

Beware car hire firms' pricey excess insurance

If you're hiring a car, hopefully the closest you'll come to crashing is post-holiday ice-cream withdrawal. But if the worst happens, bear in mind that while there's some cover for hire car damage, there's usually a big problem:

Check the 'excess' – the amount which you'll pay towards any claim. If it's high (£500ish), any scratches or minor damage will be expensive.

To get round this, hire firms try to flog costly excess insurance at pick-up. This is usually a costly extra at about £20+ a day, especially with cheap hire companies, as often their profits come from the insurance.

How to SLASH airport parking costs

Airports often make more from parking and shopping than planes. Leave the car there without booking first and you risk sky-high rates, so don't just turn up. Booking first, even on the day, could save money.

See the Cheap Airport Parking guide for the full technique, plus safety tips, how to snaffle hidden local discounts and more.

Posh villas and apartments can cost £1,000 less than posh hotels

If you don't fancy battling for a sun-lounger each morning, villas offer space for large groups of friends, or families with kids who need to let off steam.

As a rule of thumb, the larger the group, the bigger the per-person saving, so they're great if there's a party of you going. When we checked, we found a three-bedroom villa in Malaga priced at £352 for a week's stay in mid-August, compared with a nearby hotel costing £1,420.

Direct booking sites let you quickly search for holiday rentals. Our top picks are HomeAway.co.uk* for global reach, Clickstay* for easy payments and TripAdvisor* for search. Be careful how you pay. You book directly with an owner, so there's less protection. Plus check it's not a fake villa – see Cheap Holiday Rentals for safety tips.

Alternatively, you can rent out whole villas or apartments or just a room in people's homes on Airbnb. The idea is hosts put you up in their spare room or rent out their whole home to earn cash on the side. You can stay everywhere from swanky LA lofts to houseboats in Paris, and it's a great way to meet locals.

Avoid the 'perfect trip' trap

For many of us, a holiday's an invaluable way to relax and unwind – or gear up and party. Yet before you splash out, remember, the holiday industry is a beacon of commerciality. Travel marketing is honed to make you spend more and more, using emotive language such as "precious moments" and "magical memories". Don't be sucked in.

Too many plan a dream holiday, then only consider later how they'll actually pay for it. That's a sure-fire way to end up disappointed or broke.

Instead, ask "what can I afford to spend?" then work out how to have the best trip within that budget. A holiday lasts a week or so – don't ruin the rest of the year for it.

Get local travel info for free before you go

If you plan to explore beyond a trip to the pool, pick your must-sees and transport before you go (see Car Hire Alternatives below).

Forget to do this and you risk shelling out on pricey last-minute trips, or ending up stranded at the hotel.

For ideas, TripAdvisor* has a handy 'things to do' section with reviews of holiday attractions, activities, nightlife and shopping. Travel guidebooks can also offer valuable local knowledge on the go. Instead of buying, try your local library.

Know your rights if something goes wrong

Our Holiday Rights guide explains all you need to know about delays, cancellations and more. We hope you won't need it but you may want to bookmark it in case it comes in handy.

Bag 'free prints' promos for cheap holiday snaps

Many photo printing sites offer a set number of free prints to entice new customers. By playing the field, you can use different deals to get loads of holiday snaps printed free, though you'll need to pay delivery. Check out our Free Photo Print deals.

Going outside the EU? Tell your mobile provider

Taking your mobile outside the EU can turn it into a cash assassin in some places, costing as much as £3/min to receive a call. Of course, the easiest solution is not to take your phone with you, but it is possible to cut the cost if that's not a realistic option.

Many providers have special packages to use abroad, but unless you call to let them know, you won't get 'em.

These packages slash the price of calls, and they're the easiest, no-fuss option, though work best if you'll make few calls. Some are free, others have a daily or monthly fee. Remember to cancel when you're back. See Cheap Mobile and Data Roaming.

Receiving texts is always free worldwide so get friends to text, not call.

Don't get stung by luggage fees on the way back

Many people jet home from a holiday with more than they took. Yet if you plan to shop, ensure you leave space in your luggage for the return journey when you pack. Forget to do this and you may be forced to pay extra charges to get it all home, or risk having to ditch your sombreros and straw donkeys at the airport.

Off to the US? Beware unofficial ESTA sites

Everyone going to the States by air or sea needs to fill out an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) form.

Applications cost $14 each, yet beware Googling it. Do this and you may be directed to sites that pretend to be the official web page, and charge an additional fee to process your application. More details in 60 seconds on copycat websites.

Always apply via the official ESTA web page. See the ESTA guide for full info, including renewal help and safety tips.

Hidden loophole gets up to 60% off posh hotels

Giant US site Priceline* flogs posh hotel rooms at colossal discounts, and it's especially strong for US hotels.

On Martin's own US trip he got even better than 60% off. He got a nice hotel for 63% of the comparison sites' cheapest price, but even he was beaten by one MoneySaver who got the Times Square Sheraton for £55/night rather than the listed £200.

It's all about Priceline's "name your own price" function, where you pick a city area and star level, name your price and see if any hotels accept it. Of course the aim's to find the minimum acceptable price, so start low, then keep raising your bid till it's accepted – but you can ONLY bid once a day.

There are also techniques to get more bids per day, including bidding with a partner, or adding more areas of a city. See our Secret Hotels guide for full help.

Max Avios points for flights 'n' more

Avios is the points scheme formed from Air Miles and BA Miles in 2011 – you can use it to grab flights, upgrades and more (you still need to pay taxes and charges).

Many mistake it for a frequent flyer scheme. It's actually a points scheme like Nectar and Clubcard, and there are loads of different ways to earn them – in Shell, Tesco and by spending on credit cards.

Unlike the old Air Miles system, Avios charges passengers taxes and fees on flights. But it has some benefits over its predecessor. Avios customers can book one-way and 'open-jaw' tickets – eg, London to Vegas, then LA to London – and can use points to upgrade cabin class.

Asked to pay in pounds or euros? Say euros

Many overseas banks or shops ask this, especially in Spanish tourist resorts. If you choose pounds then the retailer does the currency conversion – rates are often poor compared to letting your card do it (by choosing the local currency), although things are closer than they used to be.

If you've a top overseas card, always opt for the local currency as your card does the exchange and it's unbeatable.

If you don't, it's touch and go, but it's still safer to go with euros, as the vendor can set its own rate if it wishes, which will usually be worse than the credit card rate. See Martin's blog: Using plastic overseas? Always pay in euros.

Get Our Money Tips Email!

For all the latest deals, guides and loopholes - join the 12m who get it.

NEW. Bargain weekend break finder, eg, Nice £69

If you're looking for a cheap weekend getaway, it's worth checking out Weekend.com (formerly Weekengo), a site which focuses on finding cheap breaks over... you guessed it, weekends.

Although Weekend.com says it updates prices several times a day, it's worth noting they can change quite quickly if the deals are snapped up. So you may occasionally find the price has risen when you click through.

There are tons of offers, but some of the decent deals we spotted included two nights in Nice for £69 per person, two nights in New York for £374 per person and three nights in Stuttgart for £154 per person. They all include your flights and a three or four-star hotel.

How does it work?

Weekend.com sells some package holidays itself, but also offers what it calls 'Click & Mix' hols where it matches flights and hotels (in a similar way to other travel comparison sites), and directs you to airlines and booking sites to pay for each separately. It won't say how many sites it searches, but it includes biggies such as Easyjet, Ryanair, Booking.com and Expedia.

When we looked at 20 deals, we found two were sold by Weekend.com. The rest were 'Click & Mix' deals.

Because the site's all about weekend breaks, your travel days need to include Saturday and Sunday. But you can extend your trip a few days either side (between Thu-Tue) if you want to take a long weekend.

To find the very cheapest deals, set your travel dates to 'next six months' or 'next six weeks' and sort the results by price – though you can select specific dates if you prefer.

You can also filter trips by flight times, so if you work a traditional 9 to 5 job, you could look for flights leaving on a Friday evening and returning on a Sunday.

Important. Weekend.com is fairly new and we don't have much feedback on it yet, so make sure you double-check all details and the terms and conditions if you do decide to book via it. If you've used it, let us know your experiences on the forum.

How to find a cheap weekend break

Once you've selected a departure airport, the days you want to travel and how many are in your group (up to four travellers), you'll then be shown a selection of destinations and given more options to filter your results.

If you spot a deal you like, you can click 'view offers' and you'll be shown more details about the hotel and flights.

If it's a 'Click & Mix' deal you'll be directed to book the exact hotel/flights on the external sites, so you may need to make bookings on two separate sites.

If it's a Weekend.com package deal you'll be asked to enter the travellers' details and payment details (it accepts Amex, Visa and Mastercard credit cards). A 20% deposit will be taken at the time of booking, and the remainder will be taken 30 days before your trip. Once your balance has been paid, you'll be sent your airline tickets and hotel check-in details.

Always compare prices before you book

Of course, don't assume trips are cheapest on Weekend.com. Always do your own checks and use a comparison site to see if you can find it cheaper. See our Cheap Hotels and Cheap Flights guides for more tips.

All flights are non-stop, and include hand luggage only. You'll need to pay extra if you want to take hold luggage.

Hotels have a minimum of three stars. Plus they all offer free Wi-Fi and are centrally located.

Though remember, star ratings are determined by amenities, not quality – a 5* rating is often based on a pool, big foyer and conference facilities, not how nice the place is. As there's no universal worldwide standard, treat them with a big pinch of salt.

Booked a package holiday directly through Weekend.com? Package holidays get financial protection (so you're entitled to a refund or to be brought home if necessary if the firm organising your package goes bust) AND legal protection (so you're covered if you don't get the holiday you paid for, eg, your hotel is overbooked or promised facilities are missing). See our Holiday Rights guide for full info.

Booked a 'Click & Mix' deal? If there's a problem you'll need to contact the firm you have paid for the booking.

It's worth noting if you're delayed by more than three hours or your flight's cancelled, you're often entitled to £110-£520 in compensation. See our Flight Delays guide for full info.

Try hostels for cheap accommodation

While a few may be squalid, many are clean and friendly, even offering free internet access and breakfast. In the UK, Youth Hostel Association (YHA) and Hostelling Scotland properties include fabulous castles and mansions.

To check out prices and availability, use Hostelbookers.com* and Hostelworld*, both of which give hostels a percentage rating based on visitors' experiences. To read more reviews from past hostel guests and compare prices, try Hostelz.com.

Make your own travel-size toiletries

Travel-size lotions and potions can be pricey. Retailers know they're convenience goods and charge accordingly – but you don't have to pay through the nose to smell like a rose.

When we checked, a 75ml travel size Sanctuary body lotion was £2.50 in Boots (£3.33 per 100ml). Yet the full-size version worked out at £2.60 per 100ml, around 20% cheaper if you'd buy a full bottle anyway.

So instead of buying pricey travel size versions, grab some small clean empty bottles, and fill 'em up from your everyday toiletries (this is where complimentary mini-toiletry bottles from previous hotel stays come in handy).

Driving in Europe? Check insurance, breakdown and road rules

It's easy to get caught up in the excitement of planning an overseas road trip, yet forget these tips and your dream drive may look more like a Mad Max outtake.

Here are our top tips:

Car insurance. Most comprehensive or third party, fire and theft policies become third party outside the UK. They'll pay if you damage another car but not your own, and there's no cover if your car's stolen abroad.

You may need to notify your insurer of your trip, so check your policy or call to confirm. See Cheap Car Insurance.

Breakdown cover. Go outside the UK and often your breakdown cover isn't valid. Check and if it's not, you can either upgrade to a European policy or buy special one-off temporary cover. See Cheap Breakdown Cover.

Driving rules. Check country-by-country driving regulations on the AA website to ensure you're familiar with local rules before you go.

Do a maintenance check. Do all maintenance before you go, and ensure you've got manuals and the numbers to call if your vehicle breaks down.

Don't waste cash on energy while you're away

Don't just turn off the biggies like lighting and heating before a big trip – also ensure you remember to turn off any TVs and gadgets on standby too.

Many devices draw power when plugged in and not in use, so turn switches off at the wall if you can. It's also worth noting in winter you'll still need water to go through pipes at a minimal temperature, or you risk burst pipes. See the Energy Mythbusting guide for more tips.

Compare travel meds prices to get 'em for less

If you're jetting abroad, ensure you're vaccinated against any nasties before you go. Your local GP will offer some vaccinations for free, but others can cost around £50. Some even require more than one dose, meaning costs shoot up quickly.

To find out which you need, the NHS Fit For Travel website has a handy country-by-country guide, while the NHS Choices site lists which vaccinations are free and which cost.

If you need to pay for travel meds, NHS prescription prices are fixed, but pharmacies can set their own for private prescriptions. These are given when you want a drug not covered by the NHS in your region, such as Malarone, which prevents malaria.

Check big excursion ticket prices before you go

Whether it's Disney, Universal Studios, a balloon trip or an aqua park, search early doors to see if there are web vouchers or cheap tickets. Specialist ticket agents can undercut buying direct, so use the theme park's own prices as a benchmark to beat.

Use a free app to keep track of your travel plans

If you have a smartphone, you can download the handy app TripIt – available free on iTunes and Google Play. Simply forward all your confirmation emails to it and it'll automatically sort them into a smart itinerary. You can also try Remember The Milk– free on iPhone, Android and Blackberry – which helps organise travel to-do lists.

An easy trick to keep on top of travel booking details is to set up a separate folder in your email inbox with a memorable title ("Thailand 2018" is better than "New folder"). Drag and drop booking confirmation emails in as soon as they arrive. Give it a quick check before you leave to make sure you've got all the key info.

Some bookings will need printouts on arrival, such as airport transfer vouchers. Forget these and you risk having to pay to use printing facilities at the airport, or face problems on arrival. So print them in good time and store them safely with your passport.

Nab cheap France day returns for under £25

If you're hopping across the Channel, it's often possible to get super-cheap day returns for under £25, sometimes even with a free case of wine thrown in. You can even swap £5 in Tesco Clubcard vouchers for £15 in Eurotunnel* vouchers.

Driving in Europe? Check if you need a sticker to avoid a £70+ fine

Depending on where you're planning to drive in Europe, you may need to display an emissions sticker or badge on your windscreen.

Several countries on the Continent require you to do this to drive through certain cities at certain times in order to curb pollution. If you have an older car it could be banned altogether at certain times. See our Driving in Europe guide for more info.

Consider car hire alternatives

Before you book car hire for your hols, don't forget to consider the alternatives. Unnecessary car hire can be an expensive, unused hindrance.

Car swaps, public transport and even taking your own car may work out cheaper for some destinations. Go through this checklist first:

Look into public transport. In Florida or LA, many will need a car for the huge city distances. But in New York you can't park anywhere, so the subway wins. Many European cities have great public transport, so always check.

Check taxi prices. If you plan to spend most of your time topping up your tan rather than travelling, a few taxi rides may be cheaper. International taxi fare calculator Holiday Taxis* gives an estimate of what journeys might cost.

Take your own car. If venturing onto Europe's winding roads, it may be possible to take your own car. All UK car insurance policies automatically provide the correct minimum cover required by law in all EU countries, but check if the full cover extends to Europe as well.

DON'T accidentally invalidate your travel insurance

Holidaymakers rely on travel insurance for complete peace of mind but if you fail to comply with the T&Cs you could be in for a nasty shock. Did you know something as simple as having a few drinks or leaving your luggage in the hotel storage room could invalidate a claim? And there are plenty of other common holiday habits that could do the same.

What the * means above

If a link has an * by it, that means it is an affiliated link and therefore it helps MoneySavingExpert stay free to use, as it is tracked to us. If you go through it, it can sometimes result in a payment or benefit to the site. It's worth noting this means the third party used may be named on any credit agreements.

You shouldn’t notice any difference and the link will never negatively impact the product. Plus the editorial line (the things we write) is NEVER impacted by these links. We aim to look at all available products. If it isn't possible to get an affiliate link for the top deal, it is still included in exactly the same way, just with a non-paying link. For more details, read How This Site Is Financed.

Duplicate links of the * links above for the sake of transparency, but this version doesn't help MoneySavingExpert.com:

MoneySupermarket.com Financial Group Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN: 303190). The registered office address of both MoneySupermarket.com Group PLC and MoneySupermarket.com Financial Group Limited (registered in England No. 3157344) is MoneySupermarket House, St. David's Park, Ewloe, Chester, CH5 3UZ. MoneySavingExpert.com Limited is an appointed representative of MoneySupermarket.com Financial Group Limited.

American Express cardholders will now have to wait TWO YEARS after cancelling a card in order to qualify for another welcome bonus – making it much more difficult for those who cycled between cards to earn its introductory offers.

TV streaming service Netflix had admitted showing some people who sign up to Netflix higher prices to understand how much potential customers "value" it - but it says nobody will actually pay the higher price

How this site works

We think it's important you understand the strengths and limitations of the site. We're a journalistic website and aim to provide the best MoneySaving guides, tips, tools and techniques, but can't guarantee to be perfect, so do note you use the information at your own risk and we can't accept liability if things go wrong.

This info does not constitute financial advice, always do your own research on top to ensure it's right for your specific circumstances and remember we focus on rates not service.

We don't as a general policy investigate the solvency of companies mentioned (how likely they are to go bust), but there is a risk any company can struggle and it's rarely made public until it's too late (see the Section 75 guide for protection tips).

Do note, while we always aim to give you accurate product info at the point of publication, unfortunately price and terms of products and deals can always be changed by the provider afterwards, so double check first.

We often link to other websites, but we can't be responsible for their content.

Always remember anyone can post on the MSE forums, so it can be very different from our opinion.

MoneySavingExpert.com is part of the MoneySupermarket Group, but is entirely editorially independent. Its stance of putting consumers first is protected and enshrined in the legally-binding MSE Editorial Code.